Expansion joint making apparatus for ice trays



Nov. 12, 1935.

G. L. TINKHAM 2,021,118 EXPANSION JOINTMAKING APPARATUS FOR ICE TRAYS Filed March 1o, 1934 s sheets-sheet 1 fg ff INVENTOR.

9; f ATTORNEY u Nv. 12, 1935. c, 'nNKHAM EXPANSION JOINT MAKING APPARATUS FOR ICE TRAYS Filed March 1o, 1954 e gheets-sheef 2 INVENTOR. UyLTJn/f/gm lATTORNESLS Nov. l2, 1935.

G. L. TINKHAM EXPANSION JOINT MAKING APPARATUS FOR` ICE TRAYS Filed March 1o, 1934 e vsheusw-sheet 3 i lNvENT'oR. `a' 7i/y EEK/55277' ATTORNEY;

Nov. 12, 193.5. G. L, TINKHAM EXPANSION JOINT MAKING APPARATUS FOR ICE TRAYS Filed March 10, 1934 maxaman i Nov. 12, 1935. G, L, T.NKHAM 2,021,118.

EXPANSION JOINT MAKING APPARATUS FOR ICE TRAYS Filed March 1o, 1954 e sheets-sheet 5 l y l UA Nov. 12, 1935. G. TINKHAM EXPANSION JOINT MAKING APPARATUS FOR ICE TRAYS j ATTORNEY)r Patented Nov. 12h, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXPANSION JOINT MAKING APPARATUS FOR ICE TRAYS Application March 10, 1934, Serial No. 714,908 '17 claims. (01.153-1'3) This invention relates to iiexible metal ice trays of the character covered by my Patent No. 1,894,897 granted January 17, 1933, and copending applications, Serial No. 645,215 led December 1, 1932 and Serial No. 686,328, filed August 23, 1933, the latter being a division of the first mentioned application.

The general purpose and object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for producing eX- pansion joints in these trays and more particularly a joint producing apparatus which is useable With the mechanism employed for pre-forming the trays by a folding operation from blanks of the desired sheet metal.

A further object of my invention is to proxzide the expansion joint forming apparatus With clamping means Which moves with the tray Walls as the joints are formed therein to avoid undue stretching or elongation of the metal in forming the joints.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for initiating this movement of the clamping means as the joint forming elements are brought into contact with the tray walls.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for so controlling the action or movement of the joint forming elements with respect to each other that the metal of the tray Walls Where the points connect will fold easily and naturally Without placing any undue strain on the metal to impair the fiexibility of the completed tray.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in

which- Fig. 1 is a side View, with parts broken away and in section, respectively, of the blank folding apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a similar character of the die part of said apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse Vertical sectional vievv taken through the blank folding apparatus on line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the die;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the sections comprising a side member of the die, the sections being shown removed from the die and in separated relation to indicate how the length of the die may be adjusted;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view partly in section illustrating the manner in which the end portion of a blank is folded into the form shown in Fig. 7 by the folding apparatus of the preceding figures; Fig. 7 is a perspective sectional view showing the end of the tray produced in the manner shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 7a, is a similar view showing the fabric employed with the die to prevent scoring of the outer surfaces of the tray walls; 5

Figs. 7b, 7c and 7d are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which the folded eX- tensions at the end of the tray are folded into overlapped and clamped relation at the end of the tray; l0

Fig. 8 is an end View with parts in section of the apparatus for forming the expansion joints in the tray walls;

Fig. 8a shows the development of a set of the joists; .Y l5 Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are vertical sectional views with parts in elevation showing the action of the joint forming mechanism; 20

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view With parts in elevation taken on line I2-l2 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view with parts in elevation taken on line I3-l3 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 14 is a similar sectional View taken on line 25 lli-I4 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of one of the side tools and its support;

Fig. 16 is a bottom plan view with parts broken away of the upper member of the joint producing 30 mechanism shown in Fig. 8, Fig. 16 being taken on line IE5-I6 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 17 shows the cam and co-operating roller of the joint forming apparatus;

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the flat metal blank 35 from which the tray is produced;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of one of the folded blanks, the expansion joints to be produced by the apparatus of Fig. 8 being illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 19; 40

Fig. 20 is an elevational view of one en`d of the completed tray;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the completed tray;

Fig. 22 is an elevational view of the other end 45 of the tray showing the handle member to be hereinafter described; and y Fig. 23 illustrates more or less diagrammatically means for closing the expansion joint after being made. 50

The blank folding apparatus comprises the punch and die assembly shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. The die is marked I and the punch is marked 2. These members are relatively movable toward and from each other, the punch 2 55 entering the die I to fold the tray from the flat metal blank 3 which is interposed between them.v

The blank is placed between these members when the latter are in separated relation as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The blank has the shape shown in Fig. 18 and consists of a single integral piece of sheet metal of the gage and character required for ice tray purposes. The longitudinal or side edges of the blank along the portions constituting the side walls of the tray may be beaded or turned over to re-inforce said walls along their upper' edges in the completed tray. The dotted lines on the blank in Fig. 1.8 indicate the beads and the lines on which the blank folds in the production of the tray by the punch and the die. These lines will be referred to later.

In the punch and die assembly shown, the punch 2 moves into and out of the die I, the latter being held stationary in the base of the machine. The die I comprises a pair of laterally spaced side members, each composed of end sections 4, 4 and an intermediate mid-section 5 as shown in Fig. 5. The side members are supported in the desired lateral spaced rel-ation by upright standards 5, t` secured to the supporting base 1 of the machine as shown in Fig. 3. These standards are preferably in the form. of castings of similar height and length and' are vprovided at their upper ends with inwardly facing L- shaped channels to receive the sections of the side members as shown. The channels provide the standards 6 with seating surfaces 8, 9 for the side members of the die. The sections are secured in the channels in any preferred manner, bolts I@ being employed for the end sections 4 and screws II. for the mid sections 5. The end sections 4 are adjustable longitudinally. This may be accomplished by having the heads I2 of the bolts I@ tting in longitudinal slots or grooves I3 in the end sections as shown. This arrangement enables the length of the die to be changed to permit the making of ice trays of different lengths. In making this adjustment, the mid-sections 5 are replaced by longer or shorter ones as the case may require and the end sections are adjusted to accommodate the length of the associated mid-sections.

The grooves I3 for the bolts I@ and the apertures for the screws I I open through the outer side surfaces a of die sections 4 and 5 and not through their inner side surfaces b1 as shown.

VThe surfaces b are retained smooth and continuous so that the side walls of the tray may be Vformed against them. The surfaces b` as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, are inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower edges of the sections to give the tray produced in the die the required draft for the discharge of the ice cubes from the"tray.

The bottom wall for the die is provided by a member I4 reciprocally mounted in the base 1 of the machine between the side members of the die. Member I4 also serves to eject the formed tray from the die as the plunger 2A leaves the same. The member I4 is` supported by one or more rods I5 which extend downwardly from the member and enter pressure cylinders I5 where they are connected to pistons I1 as shown in Fig. 1. These cylinders are connected to a compressed air supply which acting on the under sides of the pietonscushions the loweringmovement of the member I4 in response to the downward pressure of the plunger 2 thereon in folding the tray, and raises the member on the up stroke of the plunger to carry the formed tray Y out of and above the die. The member I4 is guided in its up and down or vertical movement by sliding contact with the walls of a slot I8 formed by they opposed portions of the standards G at the base of the die and the end forming members I9 of the die to be presently described.

The portion of the metal blank constituting the bottom wall of the tray in the making of the latter is pressed against the flat top surface c of the member I4. This surface is co-extensive with the tray wall which it forms and also with the lower at surface of the plunger 2. The upper edges of the inner side surfaces b of the die are rounded as at d so Ythat themetal blank as it is forced into the die may easily enter the tray forming cavity.

The end members I8 of the die are located between the standards 6 at the ends of the side members of the die. These end members are secured to the end sections 4 of the die by screws 2G and have lateral extensions ZI, 2I engaging the standards in the channels provided for the side members of the die. The end members I9. also have depending web portions 22 tting in the slot I8 between the standards as shown in Fig. 1. The end members I9 are held against the side members of the die by set screws 23, 23 mounted in blocks 24, 24 fitted between the standards beyond the ends of the die. in the channels provided in the standards for the side members of the die and are rigidly secured to the standards by screws 25, 25. The screws 23 impinge against their associated end members,

and not only enable the end members tobe adjusted when lengthening cr shortening the die, but also clamp and hold the die forming members in tight engagement. The screws 23 have clamp units 25, 26 thereon for locking the screws 23 in their adjusted positions.

To form the end walls of the tray, the end members I9 have their body portions 21 extending into the die cavity at the opposite ends of the die. than the width of the die cavity. This provides vertical recesses 28, 28 in the die cavity at its ends on opposite sides'of the portions 21, as shown in Fig. 2. 'I'hese recesses extend the full depth of the die cavity and receive the metal of the blank forming the extensions e, e at the ends of the ray as shown in Figs. 7 and 19. The body portions 21 of the end members I9 extend the full depth of the die cavity and have their inner These blocks also t lv Y The portions 21 are laterally narrower surfaces y upwardly and outwardly inclined at substantially the same angle as the inner surfaces bv of the side members of the die to form the end walls f of the tray. The portions 21 also Yproject slightly above the side members of the ber I4 above this position is prevented by a Stop I 29 on the member I4 engaging a shoulder 30 on one or both of the standards as shown in Fig. 3. The stop 29 may be in the form of a cross-head or web having a sliding t in a recess 3| between the standards to aid in guiding the member I4 in its vertical movement.

The mechanism so far described operates as follows. After the blank 3 has been placed in proper position between the punch and the die,

the punch is connected with the power of the machine. The punch descends under this power and forces the blank into the die. The first action of the punch is to press the portion of the blank forming the bottom wall h of the tray against the member I4. As the downward movement of this memberis resisted by the pressure in the cylinders I6, the blank is tightly clamped between the punch and the member I4. As these parts descend in unison under the downward pressure of the plunger, the blank is carried into the die cavity being bent along the edges of the bottom wall h to form the side walls i, i and the end walls f, f of the tray. These walls follow the inner surfaces of the die cavity and when the plunger reaches the bottom of the die, said walls stand in their desired upright relation to the bottom wall of the tray as shown in Fig. 7. The portions of the blank beyond the end walls f fold into the recesses 28 and provide the folded extensions e at the opposite ends of the tray. The end walls f are slightly higher than the side walls i and the extensions e. This provides extensions in the form of flanges y on the upper edges of the end walls. These flanges remain coplanar with the end walls of the tray, being exterior of the forming operation of the punch and the die. The ilanges y' are bent over at the ends of the tray in the completed device to secure the extensions e against the end walls of the tray and to secure a handle member 32 to one end of the tray as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, respectively. This handle member is preferably in the form of a metal bail over which the flange is turned to pivotally attach the bail to the tray. By this connection the bail may be swung from a non-usable position in overlapping relation with the end wall of the tray to a usable position extending outwardly from the tray as shown in Fig. 2l.

Clamping the blank 3 between the plunger 2 and its co-operating Ymember I4 throughout the area of the blank constituting the bottom wall 11, of the tray, and moving these members in unison into the die, enables the tray to be formed by a folding rather than by a drawing action. Thus undue stretching or elongation of the metal is avoided and the inherent resiliency of the metal is retained, prolonging the life of the tray under frequent flexing when in use. The portions of the blank constituting the side and the end Walls of the tray fold into their wall forming relation with respect to the bottom wall along the lines of juncture between them as indicated at 7c, Z in Fig. 18. The extensions e also fold along their junction with the side and the end walls-as indicated at m, n in said gure. With the plunger 2 tting the die cavity except for the clearance allowed for the gage of the metal of the blank, the tray is completely formed in one downward stroke of the plunger.

To prevent scoring or scratching of the tray walls in the folding operation, I provide a protective fabric 33, shown in Fig. 7a. This fabric extends over the top of the die and is forced down into the same by the plunger. The fabric lies under the blank 3 and prevents the side surfaces of the die contacting the blank as the latter is forced into the die. The fabric is tensioned, being fastened to rolls 34, 34 journaled on the machine on opposite sides of the die and extending the full length of the same. Cables 35 attached to the rolls connect with springs 36 which tension the fabric and return it to its normal position overlying the top of the die on withdrawal of the plunger therefrom.` 1

On the upstroke of the plunger 2 after the forming of the tray, the member I4 follows by the pressure on the pistons II and the formed tray is carried lout of the die as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In this figure, as well as in Fig. 1, the punch 2 is shown just after it has 5 left the die. At the end of its upward movement, it is free of the raised tray so that the latter may be readily and easily removed from the machine. In Fig. 6, the member I4 is shown in its depressed or lowered position to clear the 10 inner surfaces of the die for illustration.

The tray when ejected by the member I4 has its end extensions e, e extending outwardly beyond the ends of the tray, as shown in Figs. 7 and 19. 'I'he tray is now placed in another ma- 15 chine or device, and the end extensions e, e are folded over against the adjacent end walls f of the tray. The action of this device is illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 7b, 7c, and 7d. The tray is placed upright in this device and the anvil 20 member 3l is lowered into the tray immediately to the rear of the end wall f of the tray. The anvil is held in this position, whereupon a plunger 38 is moved inward to fold over one end extension against the outer side of said end wall 25 as shown in Fig. 7c. This plunger is withdrawn, whereupon the other plunger 39 is moved inward to fold the other extension e over the end wall and on the outer side of the first extension. On withdrawing this plunger, the third and final 30 plunger 40 is moved inwardly and the folded extensions are tightly pressed against each other and against the end wall f. These operations are repeated for the opposite end of the tray. These rplungers may be manually operated or they may 35 be operated by power.

The flanges j are left upstanoling. The next operation is to bend these flanges down over the overlapped extensions e, e. This is performed by suitable devices, not shown. One device 40 bends over the flange Vas indicated in Fig. 20. The other device applies the handle member 32 as shown in Fig. 22.

The punch 2 is carried by the ram 42 of the machine. The punch is made sectional, having 45 end sections 43, 43 and a mid-section 44. This construction enables the length of the punch to be varied to accommodate the punch to the length of the die being used. The sections are secured to the ram 42 in alchannel 45 in the under- 50 side of the ram as shown in Fig. 3. The midsection 44 of the punch is secured to the ram by one or more screws 4S, while the end sections 43 are secured to the ram by bolts 4l, the latter having square heads fitting in longitudinal 55 grooves 48 in the end Sections as shown in Figs.

1 and 3. The method of securing the punch sections to the ram is similar to the method employed for securing the side members of the die to the standards 6. The ram is moved into and 60 out of the die through the power operated mechanism of the machine, which mechanism is' controlled by a hand or foot operated releasing clutch as in punch press 'equipment The apparatus shown in Figs. 8 to i6 for pro- 65 ducing the expansion joints in the tray walls comprises a block 49 and a pressure pad 50 and a set of forming instrumentalities or tools cooperating therewith. The block is mounted on the base 5I of the machine and the pressure pad 70 is carried by the ram 52 of the machine. The forming tools are indicated by 53, 54, and 55. The tool 53 is carried by the ram E2 and is designed to form the expansion joint o in the bot- .tom wall h of the tray (Fig. 19). The tools 54 ,75

and' 55 are arranged on opposite sides of the block and aredesigne-d to form the jointsv p, p inthe side walls ofthe tray as shownv in Fig; 21. These joints are formed by pressing the metal of the tray walls at pre-determined points along the length of the tray into the tray as shown in the drawings. The joints are V-shaped in section, thusV having diverging walls whichpermit the metal tray to be flexed laterallyI in the direction of its: length for fracturing the mass frozen in the trayy and breaking it into smaller sections along the score l-ines produced in the mass by the inwardly extending portions of the joints. The jointsY in the side walls of the tray extendl through the upper edges of the tray whereby the tray may be flexed.

The block and the pad are brought together with the trag7 between them to clamp and hold the tray in position for the forming tools to operate upon it. The block and the pad are in sectional form, the parts being so arranged and constructed that the sections of each member are capable of relative movement toward each other to respond to the force exerted on the metal` of the tray by the forming tools in producing the joints. Thus the metal walls of the tray are not stretched or unduly strained in the formin-g of the joints andi the inherent flexibility of the metal of which the tray is made is retained to prolong the life of the tray as it is flexed in use.

The block 49 ts within and supports the tray, the latter being placed in inverted position over the block asshown in the drawings. The sec,- tions 55, 5l! of the block are mounted on rollers 58 and are normally urged apart by one or more interposed coil springs 59 as shown in Figs. 9 to The rollers fit in a channel. 69 in the portion of the machine base beneath the block and are confined in place by upright stops 6|, 6I at the ends of the channel as shown in these figures. The spring 59 i'its in recesses 62 bored in the sections of the block as shown. Set screws 53 mounted in the base of the machine on ope posite sides of the block limit the outward movement of the block sections by the spring. The metal of the tray is forced into the space between the sections 55, 5l of the block in forming the expansion joints and the upper edge portions of these sections at this space `are outwardly inclined as at a: to conform to the tapered shape of the operating end of the top tool 53 and thus permit the making of the top joint in V-shaped form as shown in Fig. ll. The block sections 55, 5l' are held in place against the rollers 58 by plates ell, 64 secured to the base of the machine and extending into grooves or channels 55 in the block sections at the sides thereof as shown in Fig. 14,

The sections 55,y 67 of the pressure pad 50 are secured by strips 68', 58 to the underside of a carrying plate 69. Rollers 'lil are interposed between the sections of the pad and carrying plate 59 to allow for ease of movement of the pad sections toward and from each other in the operation of the machine. These sections are normally urged apart by an interposed coiled spring 'il fitting in alined recesses l2, 'i2 bored or otherwise provided in the pad sections. Outward movement of the pad sections is limited by stops i3, i3 secured to the plate 59 at opposite ends of the pressure pad. These stops also close the space or channel 'M provided in the plate for the rollers. The pad sections have movement in the same direction as the block sections, thus locatingy the strips 69,8 at the sides of the pad sections.- and in parallelism to the holding plates 64: fjorthe block sections.

The forming tool 53 operates in the space between the pad sections as shown. These sec- 5 tions are formed to iit over the outer side of theportion of` thetray supported by the block sections and have horizontal top and vertical side wal-ls tot engage the corresponding portions of the tray to,4 clamp the tray between the pad 10 and the block during the operation of the machine'. The pad is brought into proper register with. the block by guide rods 15- extending upwar-diy from the block sections and entering channels or grooves 'I6 in the pad sections as in- 15 dicated inF-ig. i4. These guide rods are on the outer sides. of the block sections and do not interfere withthe placing of the tray thereon. The rods not/only hold the pad centralwith respect to the block,` but also guide the pad in its 20,

forming tool 53 against the bottom wall ofthe 30` tray. The ends of these springs 'H seat in recesses in the plate 69 and the ram 52, respectively, as shown in Fig. 9.

Depending'from the ram on opposite sides of the padare rigid arms 18, T8; having beveled or in- 35.

cliningV lower ends to co-operate with like surfaces T9 at: the outer ends of horizontal extensions 80, 8i) on the block sections 56, 51, as shown in Figs. 1G and 12. These parts engage in the descent of the pad over the block to initiate the movement 4()A of the block sections toward each other in timed relation with the. descent of the forming tool 53 to avoid stretching the metal of the tray in the forming of the expansion joint in its bottom wall.

The side tools 54, 55 are secured to slides 8|, 8| 45v mounted. insuitable guides 82 on the base portion of themachine on opposite sides of the block 49.V Links 83', 83 connect the slides with eccentrics 84, 84v on rock shafts 85, 85 journaled in the base of the machine on' opposite sides of the block as 5.0 shown in Figs. 8 and12. These shafts have rock arms 85, 85 connected by an adjustable link 8'!V forV movement in unison from lthe controlling cam 88 on` thepower operated crank shaft 89 of the machine. Cam 88 functions against a roll- 55 erily carried by a slide 91 operating Vin a guide 92 `as'shown in Fig. 8.` An adjustable link 93 connectsf the slide 9| with a rock arm 94 on one of the rock shafts 85 for imparting motion to both shafts in-the operation of the main cam 88. The 60 ram 52` is connected with a crank 95 on the shaft 89v by a pitman 96Vas shown. Gpide rods 91 hold thepressure pad `in central relation with the ram. In forming the joints in the tray, the top tool 53 is `brought into operation inadvance of the 55 sidetools and at no time does the top tool travel at the same speed as the side tools. Rather, the travel of the side tools is accelerated for the lat,- ter` part of their operation. The variation in travel istaken care of by theshape of the cam 88 70 and its position on the crank shaft 89 relatively to the pin of the crank 95. The operating end portion of' the top tool has a length less than the width of the bottom wall of the tray as shown in Fig; 8; and engages the bottom wall intermediate the side Walls of the tray in forming the joint in thebottom wall. Thus sui'licient clearance is allowed at the side edges of the top tool for the metal of the bottom wall beyond said side edges to fold naturally and easily as the side tools form the joints in the side walls of the tray. This surplus metal follows the side tools as they are forced against the tray walls and enables the joints in the side walls to extend completely across the same as shown. The operating end portions of the side tools are as wide as the side walls of the tray and are tapered similarly to the top tool, as shown in Fig. 15. The development of a set of joints is shown in Fig. 8a. The view at the left end of this gure shows the joint started in the bottom wall. The bottom wall has been indented considerably by the top tool. The side tools have just started the joints in the side walls, indenting said walls slightly as shown. The central view shows the joints further advanced and the View at the right shows the joints completely formed. When the top tool completes its joint, the speed of the side tools is then increased to complete the forming of their joints.

The joints in the tray are spaced apart along the length of the tray to divide it into the desired number of cube forming sections or cells. The joints in one side wall are opposite to those in the other side wall and connect with the corresponding joints in the bottom wall. This, as stated, divides the tray into a series of connected cells or compartments of the size required for the individual cubes to be produced. These joints are not produced all at the same time, each cube separation being produced individually. The tray is moved manually with respect to the joint producing mechanism, there being a suitable stop arrangement provided to enable the tray to be set at the proper points for the joints to be formed. This stop comprises a bar 93 extending outwardly from one of the block sections in line with the feed of the tray through the machine as shown in Fig. 9. This bar has its upper side formed to provide notches 99 spacedalong the length of the bar in conformity with the spacing required for the cube forming sections of the tray. Moreover, the block 49 is so designed that it conforms to the dimension of the individual cube sections. The operator in producing the joints in a tray places the tray in an inverted position over the block i9 when the pressure pad 50 is in elevated position above the same as shown in Fig. 8. One end of the tray is adjusted against the notch 99 nearest the block, whereupon the machine is set in operation to produce the first joint section. After that joint has been formed, the tray is then adjusted lengthwise by the operator to contact with the next following stop or notch 99 on the bar 98 and the operation of the machine is repeated to produce the next following joint. This is followed throughout the entire length of the tray until all of the joints have been produced.

The mechanism shown and described enables a flexible metal ice tray of the character referred to to be readily and easily made. The die assembly of the rst set of figures provides an eiicient mechanism for producing the tray from the at metal blank by a folding method without unduly elongating the metal to stretch or weaken it. The joint forming mechanism enables the joints to be produced in the tray Without stretching the metal to weaken or impair its flexibility and also enables trays of different lengths to be operated upon without changing or adjusting the joint forming structure.

After a tray has been run `through the joint forming mechanism the walls of the joints are brought closer together to restrict somewhat or control the flexibility of the finished tray. This yis accomplished by subjecting each joint to a 5 squeezing action, as indicated in Fig. 23. The joint is inserted between the operative ends of a pair of members |00, fulcrumed together at i9! and so constructed that they act as pliers to bring the walls of the expansion joint in closer re- 10 lation than as produced by theforming tools.

The details of construction and arrangement of parts shown and described may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, except as pointed 1 out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for producing expansion joints in. the bottom and side walls Yof a preformed sheet metal ice tray whereby the tray 20 may be iiexed, comprising joint forming instrumentalities, means for operating them, and means for clamping the tray during the joint forming operation, said means consisting of sections movable relatively tol each other lengthwise 25 of the tray to respond to the force exerted on the metal of the tray by the joint forming instrumentalities in p-roducing the joints to prevent stretching or undue straining of the tray walls in the forming of the joints. 30

2. An apparatus for producing expansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray whereby the tray may be flexed, comprising joint forming instrumentalities, means for operating them, and 35 meansffor clamping the tray in a fixed position during the joint forming operation, said means consisting of sections spaced lengthwise of the tray whereby the joint forming instrumentalities may force the metal of the tray at the joints 40 into the spaces between the sections.

3. An apparatus for producing expansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray whereby the tray f may be iiexed, comprising joint forming instru- 45 mentalities, means for operating them, and means for engaging the outer and inner sides of the tray adjacent the joints to be formed, said means consisting of separate sections, means for normally holding the sections apart 50 to provide a space for the metal forced into the tray in the making of the joints, and rotative supports for the sections whereby they may have relative movement.

4. An apparatus for producing expansion 55 joints in the bottom and the side walls of a pre-formed sheet metal ice tray whereby the tray may be flexed, comprising joint forming instrumentalities, means for operating them, and a co-operating block and pressure pad to engage 50 the tray on its inner and outer sides, respectively, for holding the tray in a fixed position during the joint forming operation, the block and pad consisting of separate relatively movable members, resilient means for normally maintaining G5 the members in spaced relation, and stops for limiting the outward movement of the members.

5. An apparatus for producing expansion joints in the bottom and the side Walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray whereby the tray 70 may be flexed, comprising joint forming instrumentalities, means for operating said instrumentalities, a co-operating block and pressure pad for engaging the tray on the inner and the outer sides thereof for holding the tray in a fixed po- 75 sition during the joint forming operation, and

Vco-acting guide means 'on the pad and block for holding the pad and the'block central with resspect to each other and for guiding the pad in its movement into and out of engagement with th tray. A Y

6. YAn apparatus for producing expansionjoints in the bottom and the side Walls of a preformed'sheet metal ice tray whereby the tray may be flexed, comprising a co-operating block and pressure npad to engage the tray on its inner and outer sides for holding the tray in a xed relation Yduring the joint forming operation, the pad and the block consisting of separate sections, resilient means for normally maintaining the sections in spaced relation to provide openings for the joint forming instrumentalities and to,` permit them to force the engaged metal of the tray into the space between the sections of the block, and means for moving the instrumentali- Yties into and out of engagement with the tray walls.

7. An apparatus for Vproducing expansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformed sheet 'metal ice tray whereby the tray may be iieXed, comprising joint -forming instrumentalities, ra co-operating block and pressure pad for engaging the inner and outer sides of the tray for holding vthe tray in a 'xed relation during the joint forming operatiornthe pad and the block consisting of separate sections, spring means for normally separating the sections to provide spaces for the joints to' be formed by the joint forming instrumentalities, and sup- `ties that a serie's of expansion joints may be made inthe tray walls vin spaced relation along the length of the saine.

9. An apparatus for producing Y expansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray, comprising joint forming instrumentalities, a co-operating block and pressure pad for clamping the tray in ixed relation during the joint forming operation, said block rconsisting of separate sections, resilient meansfor normally maintaining the sections in spaced relation whereby the sections of the block may move toward each other in the forming of the joints ofthe tray whereby the metal of the tray walis will respond Vto the force applied on the same to prevent undue stretching or strain of the metal while forming the joints, and cam Ymeans acting in the clamping of the tray between'the pad and the block to initiate the inward movement of the blockr sections in the forming of the joints. Y

Vl0. An apparatus for producing Vexpansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformedsheet metal ice tray, comprising a base, a

ram movableV toward and from the base, a block on the base to Vsupport the tray, a pressure pad on the ram to engage the tray to clamp it against the block during the joint forming operation, joint iorming instrumentalities, the in- Vmentalities on the base.

'strumentality for forming the jointin the bottom fvvall of the tray being carried by the Yram 'and the instrumentalities for forming the joints inthe side walls of the tray being carried by the base, and means operable through'the movement of the ram to actuate the joint forming instrul11.*An apparatus for producing expansion joints in the bottom and the side Walls of a preformed 'sheet metal ice tray, comprising a-base, a ram movable toward'and from the base, a block on the baseV to support the tray, a pressure pad on the ram to engage the tray'to clamp it'against the block, the block and the pad consisting of 2" relatively movable sections, resilientjmeans for normally maintaining the sections spacedY apart,

joint forming instrumentalities, one carried by the ram to form thek joint in the 4bottom wall of the tray and the other instrumentalities being carriedV by the base to form the joints in the sideV walls of the tray, rigid arms extendingwfromV the ram toward the base and having inclined ends, and cam surfaces on the block' sections torbe engaged by the inclined ends of the arms in the movement of the ram'toward the base for initiating the movement of the block sections toward each other inthe operation of the device.

12. An apparatus for` Yproducing expansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray, comprising means forclampingthe tray in ixed relation during the joint forming operation, joint-forming instrumentalities, one operating against the bottom wall of the tray and others operating against the sidewalls, and means for operating said instruitiate the forming of the joint'in the bottom wall `prior tothe formingsof the joints in the Vside Walls wherebyA the metal of the walls at Vtheir juncture may naturally fold in the Aproduction of the joints;`

joints in the bottom and the side walls of a pre- Y 4` `13. An apparatus for producing expansionV formed vsheet Ymetal ice tray, Vcomprising means for lclamping the tray ini-ined relation during the joint form'irg operation and permitting movement of the tray walls at that time to avoid unduestretching of the metal,` joint forming instrumentalities arranged in exteriorrelation to the tray, one for forming the joint in the bottom Wall and thebtherswfor forming the joints in the side walls, and means `Y:for operating,-saidvinstrumentalirties in desired timed relation to` initiate the Y forming of the joint in the bottomlw'all prior to the forming of the joints in the side walls, said means also servingto acceleratethe movement of the instrumentalitieslfor the Vside. walls at the completionoi the joint in the bottom wall.

14. An `apparatus, for, producing expansion joints inthe bottom and the side walls ofa preformed sheet metal icetrayi comprising; means for clamping a trayinxedrrelation during the joint forming operation, 4'joint forming instru- Y mentalities, one forming the joint in the bottom wall of the tray and the lothers forming the joint in the side Wal1s, said iristrumentalitiesV having Y substantially V-shaped operating ends to provide inward extending portions extending into the tray to provide the joints, and means for operating the instrumentalities in'desiredtimed relation to form the joints in the tray walls, the operating end of the instrumentality -ior producing the joint Yin the'bottom wall having a dimension less than the width of the bottom Wall ,whereby the joint forming instrumentalities forming the 35 mentalitiesin the desired timed relation to inthe side walls.

l5. An apparatus for producing expansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray, comprising a base and a ram, means carried by the base and the ram for engaging the tray and holding it in fixed relation during the joint forming operation, joint forming instrumentalities, one carried by the ram for forming the joint in the bottom Wall oi' the tray and the other instrumentalities being carried by the base for forming the joints in the side Walls, and resilient means for connecting the ram with the clamping means carried thereby whereby the clamping means may engage the tray prior to the operation of the joint forming instru mentalities onrthe tray Walls.

16. An apparatus for producing expansion joints in the bottom and the side walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray, comprising a base and a ram, means carried by the base and ram, respectively, for engaging the tray and holding it in fixed relation during the joint forming operation, joint forming instrumentalities, one carried by the ram for forming the joint in the bottom Wall of the tray and'the others carried by the base for forming the joints in the side Walls of the tray, means for connecting the last named instrumentalities for movement in unison, and means for giving a simultaneous movement to all of the instrumentalities to form the joints.

17. An apparatus for producing expansion .joints in the bottom and the side Walls of a preformed sheet metal ice tray, comprising a base 10 and a ram, a block carried by the b-ase, a pressure pad carried by the ram, the block and the pad serving to engage the tray on the inner and outer sides thereof vfor holding the tray in iixed relation during the joint forming operation, joint 15 forming members, one carried by the ram for forming the joint in the bottom Wall of the tray and the others carried by the base for forming the joints in the side Walls ofthe tray, said members being arranged to operate in the same plane whereby the joints in the tray walls will be in the same plane, and means for operating the members for the side walls through the movement of the ram, 25

GUY L. TINKHAM. 

